Regular Board Meeting — Minutes

Town of Belvidere REGULAR MEETING January 11, 2022, 7:00 PM Cochrane VFW Post 10406 Chairman Ron Speltz called the meeting to order. All Board members present. The meeting notice was published in the Buffalo County News and the full agenda posted per WI Statutes 19.84 on January 7, 2022. Francis Schelfhout, MRT WIS DOT Planner (WI Parkway Commission) and John Rosenow, Buffalo County MRT Representative appeared to discuss the 8 County Great River Road upgraded status Mississippi River Trail Bicycle Route as it pertains to the Town of Belvidere. Francis noted that an alternate route is being proposed tonight so that bicyclist can utilize routes that are closer to view the Mississippi River and utilize routes that are more scenic, less traveled, and good surface roads. He discussed the next step is to have the Town Board draft and approve a Resolution in support of the alternate route off of STH 35 to travel onto Prairie Moon Rd to CTH OO and then back to STH 35 as it pertains to the Town of Belvidere. He also noted that the entire procedure will take from 8 – 12 months for approval before any DOT funded signage will start within 2 yrs. Supervisor Lee Engfer discussed at length his safety concerns for a bicycle trail within Belvidere on Prairie Moon Road. Speeding vehicles approaching the area by the new solar field and increased vehicle traffic is detrimental to bicyclist safety. Chairman Speltz also stated his concerns, stating the unsafe conditions last summer he viewed during unloading of materials for the solar field construction. The Town Board suggested a safer route would be to exit STH 35 via CTH O and continue north thru the Village of Cochrane to Buffalo City, then north on CTH OO (by the Mississippi River). Francis stated he would take this under consideration and report back via email soon. A Motion by Supervisor Ron Kazmierczak was made to approve the Minutes as provided to board members in lieu of reading out loud. Supervisor Lee Engfer seconded the motion. Carried. Treasurer Barbara Brommer gave the Treasurer’s report and Investment Summary. Balance on hand as of tonight in the General Checking account is $455,680.80. This balance reflects 3 outstanding checks from December and yearend deposits of interest from Savings accounts. Ron Kaz made a Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as read. Lee seconded the Motion. Carried. The Clerk presented the bills for payment. A motion was made by Lee and seconded by Ron Kaz to pay the bills as presented. Motion carried. ROAD REPORT: Chairman Speltz reported that he received a citizen complaint in regards to late snow plowing a road during school Christmas vacation time. The Board reviewed and approved a landowner letter to property owners on Cormorant Trail. The Clerk will mail out letters this week to all landowners stating the Boards action to close off access. The Town Board reviewed the pay schedule for 2022 Election Workers to increase Chief Inspectors to $15/hr. and Election Workers to $13/hr. Lee made a motion to approve with Ron Speltz seconding. Motion carried. Ron Kaz stated his discussions with the WI DNR concerning yearly maintenance fee at the Belvidere Boat Launch. The agreed upon new fee is $1,000 annually to be billed. Ron Speltz noted the boat dock has been removed and is stored at his shop for winter deck repairs to be completed. The repairs will be paid from the ARPA Grant funds. The next regular scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 7 pm. The upcoming WTA meeting on Monday, January 17th will have on the agenda the new Zoning Shoreline Ordinance for discussion. At 8:20 pm, Ron Kaz made a motion to adjourn with Lee seconding. Motion carried. The Town of Belvidere completed the 2021 Financial Audit following the Board meeting. All financial accounts were certified correct and in order by the Board. Respectfully submitted, Deborah M Ruff Deborah M. Ruff, Clerk